Stephen Davies

I'm writing two posts today because I am so incredibly frustrated I really need an outlet. I am about to start throwing things through the wall (which I really don't think my neighbors would appreciate). Particularly, I'm going to throw my stupid pump through the wall (I know they really won't appreciate that!). I have been having a lot of trouble with it since day one. The worst part is that I am having so much trouble with the company and getting help.

I'm not sure if I am expected to be able to automatically manage my pump and manage it well but it really seems like that is the implication. Originally, I was told that I would be able to contact my trainer at any time with questions. I was told this company was the leader in customer service in the pump industry. BIG FAT LIE! I say that because I have had the WORST service I have EVER had in my entire life since starting on this pump. I started off with a trainer who barely knew what they were doing and didn't follow up after putting me on the wrong basals, next I got a trainer who was just too busy to reply to me, then I had money issues with them. Now I'm having issues trying to get a little more help before just giving up on this thing.

I've been on the pump since late October so we'll say four and a half months. In that time, my basals have been all over the place. My blood sugars have been even more all over the place. My A1c has actually gone up! I have been constantly frustrated by the extreme highs and lows and lack of help. My second trainer started out pretty good. They reset the basals, which seemed like a good starting place. After that, I felt deserted. Maybe it's just me because I know nothing about pumps and I feel desperate to find someone who can really work with me in detail. I would email and not get a response for a week to sometimes two weeks (when my blood sugars were consistently running in the 300s and I couldn't figure out how to fix them). The last times I emailed I didn't receive any response. I was just left hanging. It's been over a month on that one.

In December, I figured out that my trainers and that company were obviously not interested in helping me. I bought books and talked to a few people that pump. I went into my doctor and he made a small adjustment (he's very busy and not deeply experienced with the pump so I'm not expecting him to help much). I started adjusting everything on my own. I've done that since early January. My averages are still all over the place and I don't feel any less confused about the pump. I am only getting more frustrated because now I'm almost up for another doctor's visit. I know my A1c is not going to be any better.

So I emailed one of the managers of the company asking for a new trainer to help me out a little more because I've come across some stumbling blocks. The response email is what has me restraining myself from throwing the pump through the wall (or better yet, the manager's window). I have now been told that the pump manufacturers (READ: trainers) legally can only follow me a few months. I have been told to set appointments with my doctor every three months (that's a given!!! Are they trying to insult me?) and to attend pump classes. I already mentioned my doctor is too busy. The pump classes (which are almost two hours away from me) happen to only be when I already have regular classes! Imagine my frustration!

Apparently I should already have this pumping thing down and if I don't, well sorry Charlie to me! I want someone who is trained in pumps, who understands the frustrations I'm feeling with basals and exercising, who will be able to email me back timely. I really don't feel that I'm asking for too much! But maybe I am? Am I? Maybe the pump just really isn't for me and this is only further proving it. I don't feel like the pump is conducive to my lifestyle anyway. It has only complicated my world. I don't even feel like I can eat what or when I want. I feel like I need to exercise either every day or not at all. My schedule just doesn't seem to fit. Or maybe my schedule would fit if I had a trainer who had the time to email me?!? Of course, LEGALLY they can't help me out anymore. What kind of law is that anyway?